It would be a surprise if Matt Prater’s contract holdout lasts into training camp.

The Broncos’ strong-legged kicker just missed the team’s entire offseason program in protest of his $2.654 million franchise tag, which was tendered in lieu of a long-term contract.

The team and Prater’s agent, Frank Bauer, have been working on a multiyear deal, and the two sides are not far apart.

There is a deadline. Prater and the Broncos have until July 16 to reach an agreement on a multiyear deal. Training camp opens with physicals and meetings July 25. The first two-a-day session will be July 26.

“We’re having discussions, and I’m sure he’ll be here on time,” Broncos coach John Fox said.

Absent a long-term deal by July 16, Prater would have to play the 2012 season on the $2.654 million franchise tag.

The Broncos’ latest proposal would pay Prater more than $3 million per year. The NFL’s ninth-highest paid kicker, Green Bay’s Mason Crosby, has a deal that averages $2.95 million a year. The league’s third-highest paid kicker, New England’s Stephen Gostkowski, averages $3.4 million a year.

How far away can the Broncos and Prater be to an agreement?

Weber works at No. 2. Whether it stays this way for training camp remains to be seen. But there’s little doubt that through minicamp, Adam Weber was the No. 2 quarterback behind Peyton Manning.

“I don’t know if they have a depth chart at all,” Weber said. “”But getting reps out here is good. Last year I didn’t get a lot.”

It could be that Weber has been No. 2 because he understands the offense better than newcomers Caleb Hanie and Brock Osweiler.

But it also could be that Weber deserved the look. He threw the ball well during the offseason.

Still, Hanie is the only backup with NFL experience, and Osweiler is the only backup who was drafted in the second round.

“A long time ago, I made a decision that I’m not going to worry about things I can’t control,” Weber said. “I don’t read too much into it. As long as I get an opportunity to take a snap, I’ve got a chance.”

Working the rookies. The reps in minicamp did not go according to the Broncos’ draft board. Some of the high-profile rookies such as Osweiler, running back Ronnie Hillman and guard/center Philip Blake got nowhere near the first team. Sixth-round linebacker Danny Trevathan, meanwhile, was playing with the first-team nickel defense.

“A lot of it is based on what they know,” Fox said. “This is the first time around. The second time through in camp, they will be abreast of what we’re doing.”

Kuper by training camp. Fox said Broncos starting right guard Chris Kuper would be ready to go by training camp. Recovering from a busted-up lower left leg suffered in the regular-season final against Kansas City, Kuper did not participate in the 10 organized team activities or three minicamp sessions. Manny Ramirez was the first-team right guard through the offseason.

NFL’s highest-paid kickersThe top 10 compensated kickers, based on average annual value of contracts:

Mike Klis was with The Denver Post from Jan. 1, 1998 before leaving in 2015 to join KUSA 9News. He covered the Rockies and Major League Baseball until the 2005 All-Star break, when he was asked to start covering the Broncos.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tyreek Hill didn’t know what to do when he started hearing thousands of people in Arrowhead Stadium chanting his name, even as he stood all alone on the frozen turf waiting for the punt.